General Information About Diphtheria
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is an infection where potent toxins secreted by bacteria multiplying in the respiratory tract form a layer that obstructs the throat and enter the bloodstream to strike vital organs.
When the thick membrane formed in the throat during the disease obstructs the trachea, the patient's labored breathing sound can resemble a bird's wheeze or fluttering, which has given rise to its traditional names in certain regions.
Symptoms include mild fever, sore throat, extreme swelling of the neck lymph nodes (bull neck appearance), and the formation of a thick gray/white membrane over the tonsils/pharynx that is difficult to scrape off without bleeding.
The bacteria in the throat release toxins into the blood. These toxins reach the heart muscle, causing heart failure (myocarditis), and reach the nerves, causing paralysis in the swallowing and respiratory muscles.
Clinical suspicion is crucial. When the characteristic gray membrane in the throat is seen, a throat swab is urgently taken and sent for a culture test; however, treatment is initiated without waiting for the test results.
Treatment involves administering antibiotics to kill the bacteria and 'Diphtheria Antitoxin' serum urgently to neutralize the toxin circulating in the blood. The only definitive way to prevent the disease is the complete administration of combination vaccines (DPT) during childhood.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
